Vehicle for setting and removing poles and the like



R. H. VERSCH Dec. 15, 1964 VEHICLE FOR SETTING AND REMOVING POLES AND THE LIKE Filed Dec. 28. 1961 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. ROMA/v H. VERscH BY m, M

Arm/mars R. H. VERSCH Dec. 15, 1964 VEHICLE FOR SETTING AND REMOVING POLES AND THE LIKE 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec.

INVENTOR. ROM/1N H. VRscH Arron/va s 3,161,301 VEHICLE FOR SETTING AND REMOVING POLES AND THE LIKE R. H. VERSCH Dec. 15, 1964 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Dec.

uvwszvron Rom/v H. VERSCH ATToRNEYs United States Patent ()fifice 3,161,30i Patented Dec. 15, 1964 This invention relates to vehicles for handling utility poles or the like and setting them in or removing them from the ground.

More specifically, the present invention relates to a compact vehicle that can be readily located adjacent the hole in which a pole is to be set or from which the pole is to be removed; this vehicle has its own source of power for raising, tilting, and lowering the pole in a positive, efficient, and accurate manner.

Various types of hydraulic pole jammers have heretofore been proposed and used with a certain amount of success. Some of these set the bottom of the pole itself against the hole and then tip the pole upwardly, using the bottom of the pole as a fulcrum point, and permitting the pole to drop by gravity into the hole. This has certain disadvantages; for example, the pole cannot be accurately and positively controlled, it damages or tends to cave in the mouth of the hole; and in allowing the pole to drop by gravity, the pole, its cross arm, or attached hardware may be damaged. Furthermore, these prior devices could not be used to pull a pole from the hole.

In accordance with the present invention, -a pole handling vehicle is provided which first elevates the lower end of the pole, then swings the pole into a vertical position above the hole, and then lowers the pole into the hole at a controlled rate. With this arrangement, the cross arms and hardware can be attached before the pole is set without danger of damage to any of the parts. The same vehicle can also raise an old pole from the ground and load it on the vehicle for transport.

A more specific aspect of the present invention is to provide a vehicle of the above type which has a poweroperated boom pivoted at one of its ends to the vehicle; the other end of the boom has 'a power-operated table pivoted thereon and on which table the pole is secured for swinging therewith. The arrangement is such that the boom and the pole lying therealong are elevated at one of their ends, thereby raising the bottom of the pole above the hole. The table and pole attached thereto are then pivoted to swing the pole into a vertical position above the hole from which it is then positively and accurately lowered into the hole. The same efiicient linkage arrangement can also be used to lift a pole from the hole.

A particularly compact vehicle of the above type is provided which can be readily moved along roadways, paths, fields, or through narrow gates arid can be located adjacent a hole, even in otherwise inaccessible places.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will appear hereinafter as this disclosure progrosses, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of a pole handling vehicle made in accordance with the present invention, and showing a pole thereon;

FIGURE 2 is a plan view of the vehicle shown in FIG- URE 1, but with the pole removed;

FIGURE 3 is a side elevational view of the vehicle, showing the vehicle boom and the bottom end of the pole raised to a preliminary position; the broken lines then showing the boom .as it is being swung to a vertical position by the power-operated table located on the boom end, and also showing in broken lines the vertical position of the pole just prior to its being lowered into the hole;

FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of the vehicle and showing the boom when it has lowered the pole into its hole; and

FIGURE 5 is a view showing the boom in the position occupied in FIGURE 3, but in addition showing the drilling equipment attached to the boom for a hole-drilling operation.

Chassis Referring in greater detail to the drawings, the elongated vehicle chassis comprises a longitudinal beam 1 which may be fabricated from a large steel pipe and which has an axle housing 2 rigidly secured in a transverse position adjacent one end of the beam. Pairs of ground engaging wheels 4 are suitably journaled at the ends of the axle housing 2. The wheels 4 may be the traction wheels, as will appear later, while the front wheels 5 are steerable about their vertical axis 5a. The tread of the wheels is sufiicient to provide lateral stability and yet is narrow enough to permit passage through relatively narrow gates or other access openings.

A pair of laterally swingable outriggers 6 and 7 are pivoted at one end to the frame about vertical pivots 6a and 7a, respectively, so that the free ends of the outriggers can be swung outwardly of the vehicle frame where they are supported by their stands 6b and 7b. These outriggers are used when the vehicle is setting or removing poles and thereby provide additional lateral stability to the vehicle. When the vehicle is being moved from one position to another, or is being transported on a trailer or trailed behind a truck, then the Outriggers are swung inwardly to their transport position where their free ends are supported on their respective brackets 60 and 70.

Power Source A power source in the form of an internal combustion engine E is mounted on the vehicle adjacent the front end thereof and drives the hydraulic pump P which in turn is in communication with the oil reservoir R. Conduits 10 and 11 place the pump in fluid communication with the large, double-acting, boom-actuating ram 12, and conduits 14 and 15 place the pump in fluid communication with the pair of smaller, table-actuating, double-acting rams 16.

The engine E can also be used as a power source for propelling some of the ground wheels to render the vehicle a self-propelled unit capable of driving itself to the pole-setting area. As this self-propelled feature forms no part, per se, of the present invention, it is believed sutficient to say that the pump is also in fluid delivering and receiving communication with a hydraulic motor M which is drivingly connected with the rear pair of wheels 4 through a common axle 18 fixed therewith.

It Will be noted that the engine is located at the end of the vehicle remote from the pole-setting end, and its weight serves to stabilize and counterbalance the weight of the overhanging pole, as will appear more fully.

Boom

A main boom 20 is pivotally mounted at one end generally adjacent one end of the vehicle by the horizontal pivot axis 21, and the free end 20a of the boom is elevationally positionable and extends longitudinally beyond the rear end of the vehicle. The boom is vertically posi tion-able between its transport position (FIGURE 1) and its uppermost position as shown in FIGURE 3, by the following means:

Boom-Positioning Means Power means in the form of the large ram 12 is pro vided for positively raising and lowering the boom 20 of the pole to be above its horizontal axis 21 by which it pivotally secured at one end to the vehicle. More specifically, the head end of. the large cylinder 22 is pivotally connected intermediate the length of the boom by the pin 23. .Scissor links 24 land 25 are pivoted at their outer ends to the boom and vehicle frame, as at 26 and 27, respectively. The links are then connected together at their inner ends and also to the free end ofthe piston 28, as by the cross shaft 29. p

When the ram is contracted by admitting fluid to the rod end of the cylinder and permitting V-fiuid to escape fromthe cylinder head end, the scissor links are collapsed to the transport position (FIGURE 1). r

Extension of the ram causes the boom to be raised by opening the scissor linkage to the nearly dead-center position shown in, FIGURE 3.. By means of the ram 12 and ment, one end'of the boom is elevationallypositionable General bodily in a wide arc and to an overhanging position over scissor linkage arrange,-

to thereby raise or lower the pole 30 between the positions 7 shown in FIGURES 1 and 3.

By attaching one end of the ram 12 to the boom, the Y ram acts in an efiicient manner in applying force ,to'the' scissor linkage.

This is because for any position of the linkage, the ram is acting generally along a line of thrust which bisects the angle between the links. 7

It should be mentioned that other forms of raising or swinging the boom relative to the chassis maybe em- 7 ployed in accordance with the present invention, and it is not the intention to limit the invention to the form shown for illustrative purposes.

Pivotal Table A table is pivotally mounted by a cross shaft 36 to its pivot shaft 36. The poleis rigidly but detachably in which the pole rests. Another pole support 37 is secured byshaft 38 to and adjacent the opposite end of the vehicle,'and thus the pole rests and is supported on w the vehicle by both the table 35. and support 37.

The table is power operated for positive swinging about its pivot shaft 36. This pole :is' rigidly but detachably fastened to the table" by a pair of chains 38 and 39 which are attached to the table and extend across the pole carried thereby. Aquick detachable, overcenter type latch .is provided for each chain so the latter can easily be clamped over or released from the pole.

Rams 16 furnish the'power for swinging the.

table and pole carried thereby between the full-line FIGURE 3 position and the FIGURE 4 or vertical position. More particularly, cylinder 42 of each of the pair of rams is;

pivoted at 43. to the brackets 44 welded to the boom, and

the piston rods 46 of the rams are pivoted to the lugs 47 1 welded to the table. I 7 pressure fluid to the head end of the cylinder and releasing fluid from' the rod end of the cylinder causes the table to swing to the vertical position. Reverse operation or contraction of the ram in the known manner causes the movement.

FIGURE 5 shows a drill the underside of the table'and when a hole is beingdug, The weight of the pole greatly aids the ram 12 in forcing the drill downwardly in its earth-boring operation. The location of the hole is thus precisely determined for subsequent setting of the pole therein by means of the same vehicle. a

Extension of the rams by admitting unit U pivotally attached to i one end of the vehicle. 7 V

The vehicle provided by the present invention can also be efficiently used. to' first dig the hole in which the pole is to be subsequently set. The weight of the pole is used in this operation to force the drill downwardly inits boring operation. The same equipment is thereby used to force the drill. into the'ground and lift it from the hole. The hole is thereby drilled in the properposition relative to the vehicle and proper entryiof the pole is assured.

' After the vehicle has been positionedadjacent the'fhhle,

the power boom first elevates the bottom end of the pole while some of the pole weight is stillsupported on the vehicle. After the boom has been fully elevated, the

- power" table is pivotedto a vertical position, carrying the pole with it. This places the pole directly above the hole where it can be steadily and accurately lowered by power, by the lowering of the b oom,'into the hole. There is positive and accurate control over the pole-atv all times.

The vehicle provided by the present invention can also "be used to remove old poles. To do so, the old pole would first be loosened'in the ground by. digging arouncl'it. The vehicle with the boom lowered and the table in the vertic'al position, would'then be moved adjacentthepole so the pole could be fastened to the table by the chains 38, 39 and overcenter latches 40. The boom 20 is then raised :by extension ofram 12, thus forcibly pulling the pole upwardly out of the hole. The table is then tilted to lay the pole along the beam 20 and into saddle 37. Boom templated as being within the scope of the following claims particularly pointing out' and distinctly claiming the subject matter which is regarded as the invention.

I claim:

1.;A vehicle for handling utility line poles or the like comprising, a wheelasupported and elongated chassis, a boom pivotally mounted at one end about a horizontal axis and to said chassis generally adjacent one end thereof, said boom having a free end which is vertically positionable by swinging movement of said boom about said axis, said free end extending beyond the other end of said elongated chassis, power operatedmeans for vertically swinga ing saidb ootn, a table swin'gably mounted onthe free end of said boom, power means between said boom and table for swinging the latter,-and means for detachably securing a pole to said table for swinging therewith in elevated or swung through an arc of} respect to said boom and for being vertically positioned by said boom.

2. A vehicle for handling utility line poles or the like comprising, a wheel-supported and elongated chassis, a boom pivotally mounted at one'end about a horizontal axis and to said chassis generally adjacent one end thereof,

.on the free end of said boom, power means between said boom and table for swinging the latter, and means for detachably securing a pole to said table for swinging therewith in respect to said boom and for being vertically positioned by said boom.

3. A vehicle for handling utility line poles or the like comprising, a wheel-supported and elongated chassis, a boom pivotally mounted at one end about a horizontal axis and to said chassis generally adjacent one end thereof, said boom having a free end which is vertically positionable by swinging movement of said boom about said axis, said free end extending beyond the other end of said elongated chassis, extensible and collapsible linkage between said chassis and adjacent the free end of said boom, a hydraulic ram connected between said boom and said linkage to actuate the latter and thereby vertically position the boom, a table swingably mounted on the free end of said boom, power means between said boom and table for swinging the latter, and means for detachably securing a pole to said table for swinging therewith in respect to said boom and for being vertically positioned by said boom.

4. A vehicle for handling utility line poles or the like comprising, a wheel-supported and elongated chassis, a boom pivotally mounted at one end about a horizontal axis and to said chassis generally adjacent one end thereof, said boom having a free end which is vertically positionable by swinging movement of said boom about said axis, said free end extending beyond the other end of said elongated chassis, power-operated means for vertically swinging said boom, a table swingably mounted on the free end of said boom and for supporting said pole adjacent one end thereof, a support on said chassis for supporting said pole adjacent its other end, power means between said boom and table for swinging the latter, and means for detachably securing a pole to said table for swinging therewith in respect to said boom and for being vertically positioned by said boom.

5. A vehicle for handling utility line poles or the like comprising, a wheel-supported and elongated chassis, a boom pivotally mounted at one end about a horizontal axis and to said chassis generally adjacent one end thereof, said boom having a free end which is vertically positionable by swinging movement of said boom about said axis, said free end extending beyond the other end of said elongated chassis, extensible and collapsible linkage between said chassis and adjacent the free end of said boom, a hydraulic ram connected between said boom and said linkage to actuate the latter and thereby vertically position the boom, a table swingably mounted on the free end of said boom and for supporting said pole adjacent one end thereof, a support on said chassis for supporting said pole adjacent its other end, power means between said boom and table for swinging the latter, and means for detachably securing a pole to said table for swinging therewith in respect to said boom and for being vertically positioned by said boom.

6. A vehicle for handling utility line polesor the like comprising, a wheel-supported and elongated chassis, a boom pivotally mounted at one end about a horizontal axis and to said chassis generally adjacent one end thereof, said boom having a free end which is vertically positionable by swinging movement of said boom about said axis, said free end extending beyond the other end of said elongated chassis; power-operated means for vertically swinging said boom comprising, a hydraulic ram connected at one end to said boom, a link pivotally connected at one end to said other end of said chassis, a second link pivotally connected at one end to said boom adjacent said free end, the other end of said links being pivotally connected together and to the other end of said ram to thereby form a scissor linkage between said boom and chassis which is actuated by said ram; a table swingably mounted on the free end of said boom, power means be tween said boom and table for swinging the latter, and means for detachably securing a pole to said table for swinging therewith in respect to said boom and for being vertically positioned by said boom,

7. A pole-handling vehicle of the type having a wheelsupported and elongated chassis and a boom pivotally mounted at one end about a horizontal axis and to said chassis generally adjacent one end thereof, power-operated means for vertically swinging said boom, the improvement comprising; said boom having a free end that extends beyond the other end of said chassis and is vertically positionable by swinging movement of said boom about said axis, a table swingably mounted on the free end of said boom, power means between said boom and table for swinging the latter, and means for detachably securing a pole to said table for swinging therewith in respect to said boom and for being vertically positioned by said boom. 1

References (Iited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,871,603 Ginter Aug. 16, 1932 2,721,664 Barfield Oct. 25, 1955 2,814,396 Neale Nov. 26, 1957 2,831,589 Way Apr. 22, 1958 2,925,929 Romine Feb. 23, 1960 FOREIGN PATENTS 216,814 Great Britain June 5, 1924 

1. A VEHICLE FOR HANDLING UTILITY LINE POLES OR THE LIKE COMPRISING, A WHEEL-SUPPORTED AND ELONGATED CHASSIS, A BOOM PIVOTALLY MOUNTED AT ONE END ABOUT A HORIZONTAL AXIS AND TO SAID CHASSIS GENERALLY ADJACENT ONE END THEREOF, SAID BOOM HAVING A FREE END WHICH IS VERTICALLY POSITIONABLE BY SWINGING MOVEMENT OF SAID BOOM ABOUT SAID AXIS, SAID FREE END EXTENDING BEYOND THE OTHER END OF SAID ELONGATED CHASSIS, POWER-OPERATED MEANS FOR VERTICALLY SWINGING SAID BOOM, A TABLE SWINGABLY MOUNTED ON THE FREE END OF SAID BOOM, POWER MEANS BETWEEN SAID BOOM AND TABLE FOR SWINGING THE LATTER, AND MEANS FOR DETACHABLY SECURING A POLE TO SAID TABLE FOR SWINGING THEREWITH IN RESPECT TO SAID BOOM AND FOR BEING VERTICALLY POSITIONED BY SAID BOOM. 